Car Accidents Archives - Page 4 of 5

Seat Belt Laws in California

Oct 20, 2018 | By Michael Beliz | Read Time: 3 minutes

Seat belts save lives. This simple fact is the reason that every passenger in a car in California must wear a seat belt, even when riding in the back seat. The California seat belt law is found in the Motor Vehicle Code § 27315 and is strictly enforced. Seat Belts are Required Under the California seatbelt law, no person can operate a vehicle on a highway unless the driver and all passengers aged 16 or older are wearing a safety belt. This law applies to passengers riding in the front seat as well as in the back. At a minimum, the seat belt should be a lap belt that crosses at the hips and upper thighs. If there is an upper portion to the belt, then it should cross the chest. The motor vehicle owner also must make sure to maintain that there are seat belts in the vehicle that works. This law also applies to anyone operating or owning a taxi. Penalties The seat belt law in California identifies the penalty that you will have to pay if the police pull you over and you are not wearing a belt: $20 fine for a first offense $50 fine for each subsequent offense Instead of paying the fine, you might be able to attend traffic school, where you will learn about traffic safety. Child Safety Seats Children have different safety needs, and for that reason, California has created separate seat belt requirements for children. Because restraints save lives, the state will require that you put your child in an appropriate car or booster seat. The type of seat you need will depend on several factors. Here are the details of the law: If your child is younger than 2, you should put them in a rear-facing seat unless the child is large for their age, e.g., 40+ pounds or 40+ inches tall. After age 2, they should be in a forward-facing safety seat. If your child is under age 8, then they must be secured in a booster or car seat located in the back seat. Children 8 or older, or any child that is 4’9” tall, can also be secured in a booster seat. If you choose not to use a booster seat, then but at a minimum,q the child must wear a safety belt. Children 16 or older must follow the seat belt law in California as described above. Some questions arise about when a child can move on from a car seat that has a five-point harness to a booster seat. California law does not lay out precisely when you should make this move. Instead, the state recommends that you take things slow. Graduating your child to a booster seat actually decreases the amount of restraint and safety they have, so California recommends that you keep your child in their current seat for as long as possible. California also provides some basic guidance: Your child is ready for a booster seat when they have surpassed the limits for a forward-facing harness, typically between 40 and 65 pounds. Children should stay in their booster seat until they are at least 4’9” tall and 8-12 years old. Remember that safety belts were designed for men around 165 pounds, so the belts are an awkward fit for smaller children. Seat Belts and Car Accidents California is a pure comparative negligence state. This means that the law recognizes that a car accident victim could have contributed to their accident or injuries. The victim can still sue, but their own negligence will reduce the amount of compensation they can receive. Under the state’s seat belt law, failure to wear a seat belt is not per se proof of negligence. This means the driver cannot point to your failure to wear a seat belt as automatically proving you were negligent. However, a jury can still use the fact that you were not wearing a seatbelt to find that you contributed to your injuries. For this reason, wearing a seatbelt not only protects you but protects your right to compensation in the event of a collision. Speak to a Long Beach Car Accident Lawyer At the Beliz Law Firm, we have helped countless accident victims get the compensation they deserve. Please reach out to us today for a free consultation. One of our Long Beach car accident lawyers will be happy to meet with you to discuss your case as well as your options for compensation. Call 562-452-3772.

Car Accidents

What Time of Day do Most Car Accidents Happen?

Oct 15, 2018 | By Michael Beliz | Read Time: 4 minutes

Car accidents can strike at any time. However, your chances of suffering an accident increase when there are more people on the road. For that reason, drivers should expect the most accidents to occur during rush hour traffic. And statistics bear this assumption out. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the most dangerous time to drive on the road is during afternoon rush hour traffic. Read on for more information about when your risk of getting into an accident is elevated. A Closer Look at the Most Dangerous Time to Drive Avvo looked at Fatality Analysis Reporting System data, provided by the federal government and broke down the number of fatalities according to the time of day in 3-hour increments: 1:00 am to 3:59 am: 4,019 fatalities 4:00 am to 6:59 am: 3,520 fatalities 7:00 am to 9:59 am: 3,345 fatalities 10:00 am to 12:59 pm: 3,864 fatalities 1:00 pm to 3:59 pm: 5,273 fatalities 4:00 pm to 6:59 pm: 6,201 fatalities 7:00 pm to 9:59 pm: 6,067 fatalities 10:00 pm to 12:59 am: 4,829 fatalities One thing that jumps out is how safe the morning rush hour period is compared to driving home from work. For example, traffic fatalities early in the morning are very low. In fact, it seems that drivers are much more careful early in the morning. Indeed, fatalities are much lower in the 7:00 am to 9:59 am window than even in the 1:00 am to 3:59 am a window when fewer people should be on the road. This could mean driving skills decrease as the day goes on. Being drained from work may increase the chance of a serious accident while driving home. Finally, darkness and visibility may increase fatal vehicle collisions. The Most Dangerous Day to Drive According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the most dangerous day to drive is the Fourth of July, based on a 2016 analysis. This should not be entirely surprising. As part of the festivities, many people enjoy far too much alcohol to drink, which impairs their driving ability. Also, because the weather on the Fourth is often hot, a driver will be even more impaired. With so many vehicles on the road, even sober drivers can become frustrated and engage in dangerous driving. Based on the same 2016 analysis, the other most dangerous days to drive include: January 1 September 18 August 2 August 27 July 5 October 2 Of the seven days of the week, Saturday is the most dangerous according to NHTSA. Actually, the weekend is when the most fatal accidents occur. Less traffic with higher speeds may be the reason for the higher numbers. Conversely, the safest day to be on the road is Tuesday. (Interactive Map) In 2016, the number of car crash-related fatalities were as follows: Sunday: 5,809 Monday: 4,883 Tuesday: 4,444 Wednesday: 4,695 Thursday: 5,002 Friday: 5,826 Saturday: 6,802 If you need to go on a long trip, then Tuesday or Wednesday would seem to be ideal days. Protecting Yourself The reason so many accidents happen on certain days and at certain times is that roads are congested. But you probably need to be on the road at the same time, along with everyone else. What can you do? Clearly, drivers should exercise extreme caution when driving during rush hour. Remember to leave enough room between you and other vehicles, preferably four seconds of time. Also be reasonable when someone is trying to merge into traffic. If possible, you can scoot into the other lane, leaving the room. You should also avoid drinking on holidays, since alcohol will dramatically slow down your reflexes and impair your judgment, thus increasing the likelihood of a crash. If you see someone driving erratically, report them to the authorities. If you are feeling fatigued, remember to pull over to the side of the road. Speak to a Long Beach Car Accident Lawyer Rush hour might be the most dangerous time to drive, but motorists and pedestrians can suffer a serious injury at any time. If you have been injured in an accident, you need compensation to help you cover medical expenses, lost wages, and property damage. Your pain and suffering also warrant compensation. Contact the Beliz Law Firm today. Our car accident lawyers can help you get the compensation you deserve and are prepared to negotiate aggressively on your behalf. Call 562-452-3772 for a free consultation or send us an online contact form.

Car Accidents

Who is Responsible for Uber or Lyft Accidents in California?

Sep 26, 2018 | By Michael Beliz | Read Time: 3 minutes

For immediate help from an experienced car accident lawyer, reach out to Michael Beliz today. California is a “fault” state, meaning that drivers who cause accidents are financially responsible for them. Injured victims can make a claim for compensation with the at-fault driver’s insurer for things like medical care, lost wages, and pain and suffering. These same rules apply if you are struck by an Uber or a Lyft driver, or if you are a passenger in an Uber or Lyft. Sometimes the driver responsible does not have any insurance, or they do not have enough to cover the full cost of your injuries. In these situations, you will need to check whether uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM) coverage is available. Below, let’s look at some common scenarios. You are Injured as an Uber Car Accident Passenger Here, the driver responsible for the crash is responsible for compensating you. This might be your Uber/Lyft driver or it might be another motorist who struck you. Either way, you will make a claim with the responsible driver’s insurance company. Currently, the amount of Lyft or Uber passenger insurance is $1 million, which should certainly cover your injuries. Things can get tricky, however, if another motorist struck you but is uninsured. Helpfully, your ridesharing company should have underinsured motorist insurance for $1 million, which will kick in to cover you. You are Struck by an Uber or Lyft Driver In this situation, the Uber or Lyft driver is responsible for your injuries. It doesn’t matter whether you are another motorist or a pedestrian. In an Uber or Lyft driver car accident, you make a claim with the driver’s insurance. However, the amount of insurance available will depend on whether the driver was logged in the ridesharing app and whether they were actually transporting a ride: If the driver was not logged into the app, then the only insurance available is the personal insurance they carry on their vehicle. This is really no different than being struck by a person who doesn’t drive for Uber. Hopefully, the driver should have the minimum liability insurance required by California, which is $15,000 per person in bodily injury liability. If not, you might be able to use your uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, if you have it. If the driver was logged into the ridesharing app and looking for rides when they struck you, then the Uber driver should have at least $50,000 in liability insurance up to $100,000 per accident and another $30,000 in property damage. Uber also carries $200,000 in excess liability coverage. If the driver had accepted a ride when he or she hit you, or if they actually had passengers with them, then the maximum amount of insurance applies. Uber drivers should have $1 million in liability insurance and another $1 million in uninsured/underinsured motorist injury coverage. You are an Uber/Lyft Driver Struck by Another Motorist In this case, you need to make a claim for compensation with the at-fault driver’s insurance company. You should get this information soon after the crash and report the accident to the Department of Motor Vehicles, as is required by state law. Confused after an Uber or Lyft Accident? Reach Out to Us Today Injured motorists and pedestrians need compensation to help them piece together their lives after an accident. At the Beliz Law Firm, we are well-versed in the complexity of Uber and Lyft car accidents and understand who you need to file a claim with. In this difficult time, you should focus on getting well and being with your family. Let us do the heavy lifting of obtaining the compensation you deserve. To schedule a free consultation with one of our attorneys, please call us as at 562-452-3772 or send us a private message. Please avoid delay. Injured victims have a limited amount of time to make a claim after an accident.

Car Accidents

What to Do After a Hit and Run Accident

Sep 8, 2018 | By Michael Beliz | Read Time: 2 minutes

California has strict laws against fleeing the scene of an accident without providing contact information. Unfortunately, too many drivers flee, breaking the law in the process and leaving you with property damage or, worse, physical injuries. If you have suffered damage in a hit and run car accident, you should follow these tips before reaching out to a hit and run lawyer. Get Medical Treatment If you were in the car when it was struck, you should check to make sure everyone is okay. If someone needs help, contact 911 and ask for an ambulance. If injuries are less serious, you might drive to the hospital yourself later, but it is important to get prompt medical treatment because not all serious injuries are apparent or visible after a car accident. Note Details about the Car that Struck You You might have been in a store when someone struck your car, in which case you might not know anything about the offending motorist. However, if you were in the car when it was hit, you should collect as much information as possible: Check with nearby witnesses who might have seen more than you did. Get their names and contact information as well as what they saw. If you were struck in a parking lot, then surveillance videos might have captured the motorist before they fled. You can stop into a store and ask if they have video of the parking lot. Give them the date and time of the accident. Report the Accident California law requires that you report car accidents to the DMV within 10 days if the accident caused $1,000 or more of damage or if anyone was physically injured or killed. If you do not file this report, your license can be suspended. Check if Insurance Applies California is a “fault” state, meaning the driver at fault for an accident pays for your injuries and damage to the vehicle. Unfortunately, if a driver flees, you won’t be able to make a claim with their insurer unless you find the driver. Nevertheless, you might carry insurance that will cover you, such as: However, these forms of insurance are voluntary in California, meaning you might not have them. If not, your only chance of receiving compensation is to find out the driver who hit you so you can make a claim. Confused about What to Do in a Hit and Run? Contact Us Today At the Beliz Law Firm, our hit and run lawyers have helped countless clients get the compensation they need. If you identify the driver, we can help make a claim with his or her insurance company. If you have UM coverage, we can work with your insurer to get you full and fair compensation for your injuries. To schedule a free consultation, please call us today, 562-452-3772.

Car Accidents

How to Determine Pain and Suffering in a Car Accident Case

Sep 1, 2018 | By Michael Beliz | Read Time: 3 minutes

Car accidents can leave victims with mounting medical bills and other financial losses, like lost wages. But not all injuries are easy to value in monetary terms. For example, if a car accident leaves you paralyzed in your legs, you might still be able to work. Nevertheless, you have suffered a terrible loss to your ordinary way of life. In California, “pain and suffering” is the catchall term to describe certain non-economic losses you can be compensated for. However, it is not always easy to calculate how much these losses are worth. If you have been in an auto accident, pain and suffering damages might be substantial. What Does Pain and Suffering Cover in California? Each state defines pain and suffering differently. According to California Civil Jury Instruction 3905A, pain and suffering includes: Physical pain; Mental suffering; Physical impairment; Disfigurement; Loss of enjoyment of life; Inconvenience; and Emotional distress, including embarrassment or anxiety. After a minor accident, this pain and suffering might be temporary, clearing up after a couple of months. With particularly serious accidents, however, our clients can be permanently disfigured or disabled. How Do We Calculate Pain and Suffering? In one sense, no amount of money can ever make up for certain injuries. For example, if your brain injury permanently impairs your memory and ability to speak, then no money can ever make you whole. Nevertheless, you can’t get your old body back in a car accident settlement, so money is the best substitute. At the Beliz Law Firm, we use two different methods to estimate pain and suffering: the multiplier method and the per diem method. Multiplier Method This method is easy to understand. You take your actual economic losses—the cost of medical care, lost wages, and property damage. Then you multiply these amounts by a number usually between 1 and 5, with 1 being used for less serious injuries and 5 used for the most serious, like paralysis. To take an example, Karen might have suffered the following economic losses when she suffered an arm fracture in a T-bone collision: Medical care: $5,000 Lost wages: $3,000 Car damage: $2,000 Total economic losses: $10,000 Since her injury is moderate, you would probably multiply this amount by 2 and arrive at $20,000, which is a rough estimate of her pain and suffering damages. Add the $20,000 to her $10,000 in economic losses, and Karen could get around $30,000 in her settlement. Per Diem Method Per diem means “by the day.” This method assigns a daily value for pain and suffering, such as $200. If Karen’s broken arm caused her pain for three months, during which she was regularly seeing the doctor, then you might multiply $200 by 90 days to reach $18,000 for total pain and suffering. How do you arrive at the per diem amount? Actually, it might seem rather arbitrary. An insurance company might look at how much you earn a day and use that as the number. Your attorney could use some other number so long as there is a legitimate reason for doing so. Speak with Us Now After an auto accident, you need steady legal guidance to help you get the money you deserve. At the Beliz Law Firm, we have extensive experience with car accident settlement pain and suffering claims, and we want to use our knowledge for you. To schedule your free consultation, please reach out to us today.

Car Accidents

Auto Accident Laws in California

Nov 22, 2017 | By Michael Beliz | Read Time: 4 minutes

Laws vary from state to state. Federal laws are applicable in all 50 states. Laws on employment discrimination and immigration can be both from the federal and state. States are responsible for creating the rules of conduct within the state. These usually include laws about civil conduct and criminal offenses. A person involved in a car accident in California should understand the state’s car accident laws. Some states’ laws are very similar to California’s and others are wildly different. Familiarize yourself with the Golden State’s car accident laws. Then, you’ll know what to do if a driver injures you in an accident. California is an at Fault State for Car Accident Claims A victim can seek compensation for any resulting damages from a car accident. They do this through a personal injury claim against the negligent party. In some states, this is not the case. The victim must use personal injury protection (PIP) coverage for these expenses. When a California driver is negligent, he or she is liable for any damages that result from his or her negligence. In a car accident situation, the victim must be able to prove that the crash was the other driver’s fault. It must be a direct result of another party’s failure to take reasonable care to prevent the accident. Reasonable care to prevent an accident can be as simple as driving the speed limit or coming to a full stop at a red light or to traffic. Negligence can also mean simply acting in an unsafe manner while driving. This includes things such as failure to yield, following too closely, unsafe left-hand turn, text messaging, or driving drunk. Through a personal injury claim, you can seek compensation for the following damages: Your medical bills; Your lost wages; and Your pain and suffering damages. Including all noneconomic damages like emotional distress and reduced quality of life. California Automobile Insurance Requirements In California, drivers are required to carry at least the following in car insurance: $15,000 in liability coverage for injury or death to one person; $30,000 in liability coverage for injury or death to multiple people in one incident; and $5,000 in liability coverage for property damage. Drivers can also insure themselves. When a driver shows proof of self-insurance, they can receive a self-insurance certificate. You can find this at the California Department of Motor Vehicles. You can comply with California’s insurance requirements in one of two ways. Either buy a $35,000 surety bond from a party licensed to operate in California or make a $35,000 cash deposit with the California Department of Motor Vehicles. The Statute of Limitations for Personal Injury Claims in California The statute of limitations for personal injury claims is usually two years from the date of the accident. This applies to private parties only, however. An insurance claim is not a lawsuit. Generally, the preferred course of action is to file a claim and reach a settlement privately. When this does not result in an appropriate settlement for the victim, he or she can file a lawsuit to have the case heard in court. The victim must file this lawsuit within two years of the accident that caused the injury. For this reason, most lawyers advise victims to be proactive. It’s important to start moving on your claim as soon as possible. When the Government is Responsible for your Accident, the Rules are Different The above statute of limitations only applies to claims against private parties. If a government entity’s negligence caused your accident, the statute of limitations for your case is six months. There are a few different ways the government can be the negligent party in your accident. A few examples include: An accident caused by a pothole or another hazard on a public road that the municipal, county, or state government should have removed or repaired; A collision with a public transportation vehicle, such as a bus; and A collision that resulted from a confusing or poorly planned roadway. A road might have an acceleration ramp that is too short or bends in a way that drivers cannot see oncoming traffic. When a roadway’s design makes it dangerous, the government entity charged with maintaining that area of roadway is liable for damages victims suffer as a result. If someone is facing injury because of a government entity’s negligence, he or she needs to file a claim under the California Tort Claims Act (CTCA). The victim must file the claim against the various government agencies that may be negligent. California is a Pure Comparative Negligence State You can still recover compensation for your damages even if you were partially at fault for the collision. If you are negligent and the negligence was a substantial factor to the harm caused to you, then the damages are reduced by the percentage of your responsibility. For example, if you are 10 percent at fault and you received a $100,000 in a jury trial, the amount of compensation you can recover is reduced by 10 percent. In this scenario, you can only recover up to $90,000. If You Do Not Have Auto Insurance You Cannot Recover Compensation for Non-Economic Damages California Law prevents those who do not have insurance from recovering non-economic damages, which are basically your pain and suffering damages. If you are driving a vehicle on California roadways, you want to have automobile insurance. Remember auto insurance gives you the opportunity to collect both economic and non-economic damages. This means you will be able to recover compensation for the entirety of your injuries. While non-economic damages are for your pain and suffering, economic damage includes lost wages and medical bills, in addition to any loss of earnings. No auto insurance means you will be severely limited in your recovery. You will be only able to recover for just economic damages, basically, items that you can prove with a receipt. Work with an Experienced Long Beach Car Accident Lawyer After an injury accident, the person who caused the crash may...

Car Accidents

Dealing with Concussions from Car Accidents

Oct 16, 2017 | By Michael Beliz | Read Time: 3 minutes

A concussion, also called a mild traumatic brain injury (MTBI), is one of the more common injuries you may sustain in a car accident. While some concussions are minor and cause relatively few problems, others can be quite debilitating and may cause long-term issues. Concussions, like any head injury, are serious. A doctor should monitor them closely. Signs of a Head Injury After a Car Accident A concussion is a brain injury that can occur any time you hit your head, or even from whiplash. The symptoms of a concussion may be immediate or could develop up to several weeks after your car accident. Seek medical treatment if you experience any of the following symptoms: Confusion Memory problems Sleepiness Headache Dizziness Blurred or double vision Sensitivity to light and sound Nausea or vomiting Losing consciousness It can be difficult to detect the signs of a concussion in young children because they are not always able to communicate what they are experiencing. See a doctor right away if your child got in a car accident and shows any of the following symptoms: Extreme drowsiness Excessive crying or irritability Slurred speech Strange behavior Vomiting Confusion Vision or balance difficulties Delayed reactions Long-Term Effects of Concussions Most concussion symptoms will dissipate within a few days. However, a serious concussion can hang around for months, continuing to cause headaches, dizziness, and confusion. Some people may suffer long-term physical, cognitive, and emotional changes. Concussions can be particularly dangerous if you have suffered a previous concussion or another head injury. Subsequent concussions are more likely to cause permanent brain damage. Treating and Managing a Concussion There is no cure for a concussion. However, the best medicine for any head injury is rest. Rest is absolutely necessary for your brain to heal, so be careful not to overexert yourself physically or mentally. Reduce lighting and noise in your home while you recover. Although your family and friends may be anxious to visit you after a car accident, keep socializing to a minimum for a few days. A low-stimulus environment is most conducive to MTBI recovery. Acetaminophen may be helpful for lingering concussion headaches but avoid ibuprofen and aspirin. Your doctor may also prescribe other medications for pain and nausea. Do not consume alcohol during your recovery period. As always, follow your doctor’s orders closely and ask before making changes or beginning a new treatment. You will want to avoid activities that involve concentration and problem-solving. For this reason, your doctor may recommend you take time off from work or school. As you recover, you should slowly and gradually increase the amount of “mental work” you are doing. This includes “easy” tasks like reading, texting, and playing games. When you return to work or school, remember to take frequent breaks. Try to find a quiet place to lay your head down and nap if possible. Get in Touch with a Long Beach Personal Injury Attorney If you or a loved faces a head injury after a car accident, contact the Beliz Law Firm in Long Beach, California for a free, no-obligation case evaluation. Call us anytime at (562) 452-3772.

Car Accidents

Serious Car Accident Injuries You May Face After a Crash

Aug 18, 2017 | By Michael Beliz | Read Time: 3 minutes

After a car crash, the extent of injuries that you may incur depends on different factors. What position were you in when the crash occurred? How fast were the vehicles traveling at impact? What was the angle and position of the crash? Were you wearing a seatbelt? These factors will impact the extent of your injuries. Serious car accident injuries are most common in head-on collisions, when occupants are not wearing seatbelts, or when vehicles are traveling at high speeds. Some of the most serious car accident injuries include: Spinal Cord Injuries The spinal cord is one of the most important and most delicate systems in the body. It is responsible for transmitting messages between the brain and other systems. It is thanks to your spinal cord that you can walk, pick up a book, or even control when you go to the bathroom. The spinal column protects the spinal cord. It is a collection of vertebrae that form the shape of your spine. While these vertebrae are very strong, an accident can cause serious trauma. Damage to vertebrae can be serious enough to affect the spinal cord. If the accident impacts the spinal cord, the result is permanent partial or complete paralysis. Traumatic Brain Injuries Another type of serious injury that car accident victims may face are traumatic brain injuries or TBIs. There are multiple types of traumatic brain injuries. This type of injury may occur from several types of collisions, including: A hard hit directly to the head Violent shakes or whipping back and forth Oxygen deprivation (less common in car accidents) Cuts or lacerations from contact with sharp objects. Some traumatic brain injuries will heal with time. Others will leave a victim with long-term complications. This may affect cognition, memory, learning, sensation, speech, and emotions. Serious Injuries to Extremities A person may also suffer serious injuries to their extremities as a result of a car accident. Soft tissues injuries, fracture injuries, and amputation injuries can all be very serious, and may permanently impair a person’s mobility. An injury to an extremity may also cause permanent nerve damage, weakening or paralyzing the affected part of the body. Back Injuries One of the most common types of car crashes is to the rear of your vehicle. Rear end car accidents may shake you backward and forwards. This pushes your body against the seat and seatbelt and can injure your back. This forceful movement may cause disc bulges and protrusion to your spinal column. If the bulges and protrusions are too severe for physical therapy, the remedy may be epidural injections or surgery. Psychological Injuries Car accident victims are often very seriously injured, but they may also be psychologically injured too. Psychological injuries can be very challenging to live with. Depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder can all be as limiting as physical injuries. Our Attorneys Are Here To Help You Seek Compensation A serious injury from a car accident can change your life. We know that nothing can give you back what you have lost. Hopefully, receiving a fair compensation amount can you with a small portion of what you need to improve your future. At the offices of The Beliz Law Firm, our Long Beach car accident attorneys care about you. You can schedule a consultation with our law firm, free of charge, by sending us a message.

Car Accidents

Car Accident Injury Symptoms You May Overlook

Aug 8, 2017 | By Michael Beliz | Read Time: 2 minutes

Car accidents can lead to traumatic injuries that are easy to detect. For example, a broken leg is not only incredibly painful but may even be evident to the naked eye. Similarly, a puncture wound or laceration is both painful to the victim and obvious for others to see. But not all car accident injuries have such evident symptoms. In fact, there are a handful of car accident injury symptoms that you might overlook. Consider the following injuries and their symptoms, and if you are in a car accident, be sure to see a medical professional as soon as possible. Concussions Concussions and other traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) can be difficult to diagnose. This is true because they are not painful to the victim. The symptoms can appear mild to both the victim and others. If you or someone you love has any of the following systems following a car accident, it could be a concussion or closed head injury: Headache; Ringing in the ears (tinnitus); Dizziness; Fatigue; Confusion; Nausea or vomiting; Slurred speech; Sensitivity to light; Depression; Crying; Trouble sleeping; and More – you can read a full list of symptoms at MayoClinic.org . Whiplash and Other Soft Tissue Injuries Soft tissue injuries may have few symptoms, especially when they first occur. It may take a day or two for the pain and discomfort of a whiplash injury to really set in. Some signs of a soft tissue injury may demand medical attention, but a car accident victim may dismiss as insignificant, include: Swelling; Bruising; Discoloration of skin at injury site; Muscle spasms; Muscle weakness; Limited mobility; and Pain. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and Other Emotional Disorders If you develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or another emotional disorder following a car accident, it can be easy to dismiss the systems of these as “normal” or as “unrelated” to the crash. For example, feeling stressed about the claims process is standard. Being afraid to ever enter a car again, is not. And scary flashbacks are certainly not normal. You may dismiss symptoms like avoiding people or places, depression, lack of desire to do things you used to love, difficulty sleeping, feeling jumping, and being easily agitated. However, these symptoms could be indicative of something more serious that you should seek professional help for. Contact Our Long Beach Car Accident Attorneys After a Crash After a car crash in Long Beach or elsewhere, the most important thing that you should do is seek medical care. If you develop symptoms of a concussion, a soft tissue injury, or a psychological injury, do not hesitate to meet with a medical professional. Not all injuries are acute, traumatic, and obvious. Some injuries take the time to show themselves, but they are no less serious. At the offices of The Beliz Law Firm, our experienced Long Beach car accident attorneys want to help you recover the compensation award you deserve for all of your injuries. To learn more, contact us for a free consultation today.

Car Accidents

How Do You Handle a Back Injury After a Car Accident?

Jun 30, 2017 | By Michael Beliz | Read Time: 3 minutes

One of the most common areas of injury in a car accident is the back. Direct force may cause the injury. Or, the accident may snap the victim’s body in an unnatural position. Either way, the injuries are often serious. How you handle your back injury after a car accident will depend entirely on the extent of the injury. Some injuries may require taking it easier than normal (but never bed rest!) and mobility exercises. Others may require intensive surgeries and have permanent consequences, such as paralysis. In all cases, though, the following are smart steps to take if you have hurt your back in a crash– See a Doctor You should promptly see a doctor. Even if you’re back only hurts when in a certain position, you want to get checked out. Of course, if you need emergency attention, you will see a doctor immediately. Your doctor will diagnose your back injury using a variety of methods. These include physical examinations, x-rays, CT scans, MRIs, or other diagnostic tools. Go to Treatment Doctors usually prescribe the most conservative method possible to treat your back injuries. In many incidents, a doctor will first prescribe rest and pain medication. If the pains do not subside, the doctor may then send you to physical therapy or chiropractor. If the pains are more severe, your doctor may refer you out to an orthopedic or neurosurgeon. The specialist may need further diagnostic testing like an MRI of the cervical, thoracic or lumbar spines. The next most conservative treatment is a series of three epidural shots directly into the spine. The final type of treatment is surgery on the back. Follow Your Doctor’s Orders If your doctor recommends that you refrain from lifting heavy things for two weeks, do not go to the gym and attempt to deadlift. They may also suggest that you go to physical therapy twice a week Sign up and actually attend. Your doctor tells you that you can return to your daily activities as normal, but that you should pay attention to things that cause you pain. Follow these instructions closely and go back to the doctor if necessary. Not following your doctor’s orders is a bad idea for two reasons: First, your doctor is an expert. If you do not follow a prescribed treatment plan, your injury may not heal as fast as it would otherwise. Second, it can cause problems with your claim. The adjuster may argue that your injuries have worsened or failed to heal as a result of your own negligence. File a Claim and/or Lawsuit It is important that you notify the other person’s insurance company about the accident as soon as possible. You want to open your claim right away. A demand letter states why you deserve compensation. You need to serve this to the other person’s insurance company. It must include details about your back injury. And medical evidence should support your claim. Many back cases become very litigious due to the dispute of the causation of the injuries. Therefore, you may need to file a lawsuit in the court system so you may receive fair compensation for your injuries and pains. Hire an Attorney Your attorney can help you to gather the evidence that you need for pursuing a successful claim. They can write a demand letter to the insurance company and negotiate for a settlement amount. Working with an attorney improves your chances of recovering your maximum compensation award. At The Beliz Law Firm, our knowledgeable Long Beach car accident attorneys have experience handling back injury claims. We care about helping you to get the money you deserve after a crash. Whether your back injury is severe and expected to affect you for the rest of your life, or just serious enough to cause you pain and impair you from doing household chores for a short amount of time, we can help.

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